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1998 Chevrolet Blazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Blazer years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

269 reports with mileage · 447 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 256 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports15 fire reports31 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

15 reports
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48,000 miles · Jun 25, 2004
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

10/10/2001 REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR - IT WAS OVER CHARGED AND WENT BAD! NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TOO! 12/20/2001 WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN HEAVY RAIN. THEN WHEN MOTOR TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN THEY WORKED, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THAT TIME, BUT TODAY 06/26/2004 THEY JUST STOPPED ALL TOGETHE…

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10/10/2001 REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR - IT WAS OVER CHARGED AND WENT BAD! NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TOO! 12/20/2001 WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN HEAVY RAIN. THEN WHEN MOTOR TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN THEY WORKED, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THAT TIME, BUT TODAY 06/26/2004 THEY JUST STOPPED ALL TOGETHER - NOTHING HELPED. HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SOLDERING REPAIR DONE AS IN THE 1995 -1997 CHEVROLET S-10 / BLAZERS - WHICH I MIGHT ADD WAS A RECALL. THE SAME PARTS ARE USED IN MOST 1998'S AS WELL. THE RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE COMPONENTS, NOT JUST A FEW OF THEM! ALSO I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DASH PARTS BREAK LOOSE - LIKE THE HATCH DOOR RELEASE / BACK WIPER CONTROL IS JUST SITTING THERE - NOTHING HOLDING IT IN. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINER HANDLE FELL OFF - HAD IT PUT BACK ON AT DEALER - THEN IT BROKE OFF. (MAKES BEING A PASSENGER IN MY BLAZER VERY UNCOMFORTABLE) I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TOO! THE DRIVERS OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE - ONE OF THE SCREWS THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE IS NOT ABLE TO PUT BACK DUE TO PLASTIC IS STRIPPED- SO THE DOOR HANDLE WABBLES. THE HEAT FROM THE SUN HAS BOWED UP THE FRONT WINDSHEILD VENT UNTIL IT IS CRACKED AND BROKEN NOW TOO. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN CHEVROLET'S - BUT HERE LATLEY WITH ALL OF THE PLASTIC THEY ARE USING - I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF MY MONEY WOULDN'T BE BETTER SPENT IN ANOTHER MAKE OF VEHICLE. I LOVE THE DESIGN AND ECT. OF THE BLAZER - BUT THE PLASTIC IS NOT HOLDING UP - THIS IS SOME EXPENSIVE PLASTIC TO BE MADE SO CHEAP. IF YOU SHUT THE DOORS HARD AT ALL THE WHOLE TOP OF THE ARM REST POPS UP AND HAS TO BE POPPED BACK IN PLACE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078829

400 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING O…

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FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH DUE TO THE BODY OF THE STRIKE PLATE ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAVING IN. *AK THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE STICKER PLATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER SIDE STICKER PLATE. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR RATTLING ON THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE ENCODER MOTOR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AFTER THE MODULE SHORTED, THE STABILIZER LINK NUTS WERE MISSING, THE LEFT DOOR WOULD RATTLE WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, WHEN BRAKING, A SQUEALING NOISE WAS HEARD, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING THE REVERSE, THE "TRIP METER" WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WAS A RATTLE IN THE DASH WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVEN OVER BUMPS, THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD OPEN BY ITSELF, AND THE TAIL GATE RATTLED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10072019

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

MY '1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER'S ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED LOCKIN G/UNLOCKING THEMSELVES 3 MONTHS AGO. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE ON/OFF. ALSO HAS PREVENTED MANUAL LOCK/UNLOCK AT TIMES PREVENTING EXIT/ENTRY TO VEHICLE. DEALER HAS HAD FIVE TIMES NOW AND STILL CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10045537

151,800 miles · Oct 6, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibility

COMPLAINT 1: HOOD LATCH PROBLEM!!! THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM GM VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS!!!!! THE HOOD WILL NOT RELEASE UNLESS YOU PULL THE RELEASE LEVER AND POUND ON THE HOOD. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BORROW OR USE FORDS SYSTEM OF BETTER PARTS!!!!-----COMPLAINT 2: THE DOOR PANELS HAVE A WEAK AREA WHERE T…

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COMPLAINT 1: HOOD LATCH PROBLEM!!! THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM GM VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS!!!!! THE HOOD WILL NOT RELEASE UNLESS YOU PULL THE RELEASE LEVER AND POUND ON THE HOOD. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BORROW OR USE FORDS SYSTEM OF BETTER PARTS!!!!-----COMPLAINT 2: THE DOOR PANELS HAVE A WEAK AREA WHERE THE KNEE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH IT ON TURNS, MINE CRACKED REAL BAD!!! COMPLAINT 3: MAIN COMPLAINT:--THE HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING AND FOGGED MY WINDSHIELD UP SO BAD I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT!!! I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HWY. 69 AT MCALESTER OK. AND HAD TO PULL OFF AND WOUND UP CUTTING THE HOSES AND SPLICING TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO HEATER CORE, THIS WAS ON LABOR DAY 2003. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THE CARMAKER WILL CORRECT FOR ME FOR FREE. I KNOW THAT HEATER CORES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS IF NOT MORE. THIS CAUSED ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS!!!! I CHECKED INTO A NEW HEATER CORE AT 2 AUTO PARTS STORES, AUTO-ZONE AND O'REILLEY'S AND THEY BOTH SAID IT WAS UNAVAILABLE .????? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS. THANK YOU, REGGIE HOLLAND. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041332

50,000 miles · Aug 10, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesSeatsCrashFire

THE HANDLE CONTROLLING THE RECLINE FUNCTION ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAS BROKEN. THE DRIVER SIDE WAS REPLACED ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BOTH SEATS ARE NOW IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. AROUND APRIL, 2003, THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO MANEUVER TO GET THE HOOD UP TO CHECK THE OIL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10032527

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES - HAD REPLACED TWICE - DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO BUG SHIELD BEING INSTALLED. IT STILL VIBRATES. JUNE 2001 - DOOR LOCKS WENT NUTS. THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHILE PARKED - WITH KEYS IN IT. MARCH 2003…

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BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES - HAD REPLACED TWICE - DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE A THIRD TIME DUE TO BUG SHIELD BEING INSTALLED. IT STILL VIBRATES. JUNE 2001 - DOOR LOCKS WENT NUTS. THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR WHILE PARKED - WITH KEYS IN IT. MARCH 2003 - BLINKER SWITCH WENT CRAZY. IT WOULD NOT STOP CLICKING - WHOLE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT TO REPLACE SWITCH - NOT A CHEAP THING! MAY 2003 - ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AND RUINED BATTERY. ALMOST CAUSED A CAR FIRE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. NOT YET FIXED BECAUSE OF UNKNOWN CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019097

40,000 miles · Mar 31, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

NAR 03-31-2003 *MR CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL BEARING, HEATER CONTROL SWITCH, GAS GAUGE, RIGHT DOOR LOCK, BRAKES, AND OIL SENDING HOSES. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10014767

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

OIL COILER LINES LEAKED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. DEALER DEFINITELY KNEW AND CLEANED IT UP BEFORE I GOT IT. 1ST SET OF LINES FROM RADIATOR TO OIL FILTER REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2001. SECOND SET FROM FILTER TO MOTOR NOW NEED REPLACING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WIPERS HAVE T…

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OIL COILER LINES LEAKED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. DEALER DEFINITELY KNEW AND CLEANED IT UP BEFORE I GOT IT. 1ST SET OF LINES FROM RADIATOR TO OIL FILTER REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2001. SECOND SET FROM FILTER TO MOTOR NOW NEED REPLACING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WIPERS HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDA. WITH THE MIST SETTING TO CLEAN WINDOWS, WIPERS STAY ON FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT. WITH THE SECOND MIST, THEY DON'T STAY ON AS LONG. BY THE THIRD MIST, WIPERS ACT NORMAL. ALWAYS HAPPENS. TURN SIGNAL FLASHER SOUND STARTED WITHOUT THE USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. IT STAYS ON FOR RANDOM LENGTHS OF TIME, AND MAKES THE SOUND IN REGULAR, AND IRREGULAR PATTERNS. REPLACING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH - AS SEVERAL HAVE BEFORE ME. DEALER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TRANFER CASE LEAKS LUBE. 4-WHEEL DRIVE MESSED UP BECAUSE OF EMPTY CASE. ADDED LUBE AND HOPE NO TRANMISSION PROBLEMS ARRISE. CV JOINT REPLACED 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. HOOD LATCH ABOUT TO BREAK. WHEN PULLING ON LEAVER, BARELY IS ABLE TO POP HOOD. FEELS LIKE WIRE IS GOING TO SNAP. WAITING FOR THE NEXT PROBLEM TO OCCUR - IT HAS BEEN NONSTOP. GM DESIGNED A TERRIBLE VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED AND I REGRET EVER BUYING IT.

NHTSA ODI #10005732

71,000 miles · Oct 22, 2002
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS TAMPERING WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE LOCKS CONTINUED TO CLICK. TS PER-INVOICE; ELECTRICAL REPAIR-RELAY, FOUND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAULTY-REPLACED THE BCM BATTERY, F…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS TAMPERING WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE LOCKS CONTINUED TO CLICK. TS PER-INVOICE; ELECTRICAL REPAIR-RELAY, FOUND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAULTY-REPLACED THE BCM BATTERY, FOUND THE THE SWITCH FOR THE ENDGATE GLASS INOP/SHORTED REPLACED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #8021323

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNLATCHED AND FLEW BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 40MPH. AT THE TIME, AND I HAD JUST FINISHED A TRIP OF 130 MILES AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 70-75MPH. WORK HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THAT DAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763698

Official recalls

3

00V220000 · Exterior Lighting

Aug 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.

98V053000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Mar 9, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE ATTACHING NUTS FOR THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM ARE UNDER TORQUED. THIS CAN ALLOW THE ATTACHMENT BOLT TO LOOSEN AND SUBSEQUENT BREAK RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE RIGHT-HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ02012 · Front Control Arm Ball Joints

Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Mar 7, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Additional source detail variants (7)

Suspension:front:control Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.

Suspension

SEE ATTACHED PAGE.